Annoying? Of course! But with a little creativity and a successful concept, a one-way street 404 errors – professional becomes a new opportunity. Since pages that cannot be found or do not exist quickly lead to abandonment, website operators should pay a little more attention to the 404 page. Web development plays the main role in creating a perfect user experience.
Why do websites need a 404 error page anyway?
If all content is well maintained and structured, shouldn’t this page be superfluous?
Unfortunately, it’s not that simple, because URLs can be inaccessible for many 404 errors – professional reasons. Even if diligent site operators or the online agency regularly check all subpages for 404 error codes, there can still be pages that cannot be found . A server move, a renaming or even moved pages are common causes.
In addition to internal errors, external sources of error can also be possible, where external websites link to your own subpages that do not exist (or no longer exist). Internal errors can be corrected by the web development team itself. In the case of external sources, the only thing that helps is contacting the referring page and asking them to adjust the link.
What happens if site visitors try to access a nonexistent page and no 404 error page exists?
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In this case, this standard page appears on most clients: Not Found. The requested URL was not found on this server. This is of course anything but individual and does not help the user. It is the job of web development to offer sensible redirects when creating a good 404 error page. A visually appealing design and a little humor are also extremely helpful.
404 error pages: A threat to search engine rankings
A misguided user initially feels frustrated – especially if important information is missing.
Why does he end up on the 404 error page and not on the information he is looking for? Incidentally, it is not just the site visitor who is confused, but also the search engine bot. A non-existent page without any error code leads to a negative signal. The result: The page is rated worse and ranks at a lower level.
What can you do about 404 errors?
A simple solution is to redirect all requests to the homepage as soon as the 404 error code occurs. In fact, this is only the second best solution, because the user does not know how to get to the information they are looking for.
In the worst case, they don’t even know why they’ve landed on the homepage again. The better alternative is to give the visitor a sensible alternative: anyone who tells the user how things could continue is taking advantage of their opportunities. This requires web development and professional implementation by a web agency.
How to avoid losing users due to 404 errorsIn order not to lose visitors to the search engine after a 404 error page, web agencies work with a catchy design. Combined with sensible navigation and a pinch of humor, this creates an individual error page. Content that is not interchangeable but is in the context of the page is popular. This makes visitors feel included and they are happy to navigate on. Good copywriters create word games that make you smile.
Where do error pages link?
Which URL is best for error pages to link to?
- Depending on the content, different solutions are available. The simplest and most globally feasible is a link to the homepage . Whether this is really effective depends on the content being sought and the navigation on the homepage . The more extensive and detailed the information, the more likely the user is to continue their search.
- According to the law of maximum probability, the most usa student phone number materials important three to four subpages are a good option. These could be category entries, the most interesting blog entries, or the most frequently used navigation points.
- In addition to the three to four linked motifs or buttons that refer to other subpages, links to general content are also useful . FAQs, contact details or the contact form are popular options. If the site has a chatbot, this is where it comes in. Apple refers to the sitemap to enable visitors to take the next useful step.
- Another option in web development is active search. Instead of the magnifying glass in the navigation, the 404 error page displays a large search field with a corresponding note. The user can take the direct route and – provided their search term is indexed within the page – land directly on a relevant page.
Well done is a new beginning – never the end
404 error pages are a creative challenge for web design. Boring and interchangeable pages do not encourage people to continue searching within the website. So if you don’t want to lose your visitors to Google or competitors, play with funny animations and self-irony. If the graphics or images match what the site offers, it has a charming effect and integrates the error page into the overall concept.
Best PracticeOur error page uses a symbolic image motif that corresponds to the question “Where did they go?” and links to the homepage. On wetter.de a small, grey rain cloud appears, while on Chefkoch there is no image but the slogan “Oops! Something’s burnt!” appears.
If marketing agencies design creative error pages, the website stands out from the competition. Not only users, but also Google rewards it when visitors stay on the page and go to the next subpage, the search function or the homepage. A well-designed 404 error page plays a role in search engine optimization that should not be underestimated.
With ONE LINE to fewer 404 pages
At ONE LINE, creatives and web developers work hand in hand to develop a good presence for our partners. In order to ensure that the performance is right and that a positive impression remains in the event of an incorrect redirect, both are necessary . If we manage to give the error page an individual touch and at the same time encourage the user to stay, we have done everything right. The freestyle in online marketing includes an individual design that contributes to the theme of the page.
User experience refers to the user’s overall experience when using a website or application. A good user experience takes into account the needs and expectations of users and strives to create a positive experience. This includes aspects such as visual design, language, aesthetics and context. A website with good UX is attractively designed, easy to understand and offers a pleasant user experience. The usability or utility and the user interface can significantly influence this user experience.
User Experience: An often underestimated success factor
An example of successful user experience design is the Google homepage. Although aob directory or perhaps because – it is simple, it meets the needs of the user exactly. Less is often more here!
This simplicity is also reflected in the UX strategies of a web development agency. The goal is for potential buyers to feel completely comfortable on the website. What the technical specifications in the backend look like, however, is irrelevant for customers.
Important: The user experience has a significant impact on the success of a company. It should therefore not be neglected under any circumstances.
Rules: How do you recognize a good user experience design?Whether TYPO3 or WordPress : There are certain rules that companies should follow to ensure an excellent user experience. Although experiences are always subjective, certain best practices have proven successful:
- Position: The first and last positions in a series are the ones that people remember best. That’s why a professional online marketing agency also places important information at the top or bottom – whether in the navigation menu or on the website itself.
- Arrangement: An experienced digital marketing agency also positions all objects that belong to a group in close proximity to one another. The reason for this is that people perceive nearby objects as a group. Recognizing this togetherness at first glance improves the overall UX.
- Structure: A good UX design avoids groupings of nine or more objects. The reason for this is “ Miller’s Law ”. This states that our short-term memory cannot store more than seven (+/- two) objects at once.
